Community Facilities Loans and Grants

 

To construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community facilities providing essential services to rural residents.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.766
Federal Agency/Office
Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants; E - Direct Loans; F - Guaranteed/Insured Loans
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Community Facilities primarily finances health care, public safety and educational facilities. We anticipate in FY 2015 servicing 8,000,000 rural residents through the financing of these types of new and improved community facilities or 14% of the rural population. Community Facilities primarily finances health care, public safety and educational facilities. For FY2016, CF-funded facilities serviced 26,433,226 rural residents, or 46% of the rural population, through the financing of these types of new and improved community facilities.
Fiscal Year 2017 Community Facilities primarily finances health care, public safety and educational facilities. In FY 2017, CF helped over 16,000,000 rural residents, or 28% of the rural population, by financing new and improved community facilities.
Fiscal Year 2019 Community Facilities primarily finances health care, public safety and educational facilities. For FY 2019, we anticipate helping 13,000,000 rural residents, or approximately 22% of the rural population, through the financing of new and improved community facilities.
Authorization
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, Section 306, Public Law 92-419, 7 USC 1926, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, Public Law 113-6
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
City, county, and State agencies; political and quasi-political subdivisions of States and associations, including corporations, Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes; and existing private corporations which: (1) are operated on a not-for-profit basis; (2) have or will have the legal authority necessary for constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed facility or service and for obtaining, giving security for, and repaying the loan; and (3) are unable to finance the proposed project from its own resources or through commercial credit at reasonable rates and terms. Assistance is authorized for eligible applicants in rural areas of the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palaw, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Loans for essential community facilities are made to eligible entities who provide essential community services to the population living within the service area of the facility or being served by the facility. Beneficiaries include farmers, ranchers, rural residents, rural businesses, and other users of such public facilities in eligible applicant areas as set out above.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of legal capacity and financial responsibility of the applicants and the economic feasibility of the project relative to the activity for which assistance is requested.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as provided by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires in applying for assistance if the State has selected the project for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. For direct loans and grants, applicants must file Standard Form SF-424 and supporting documentation at the local Rural Development Area Office. For guaranteed loans, the lender must file Form RD 3575-1 and supporting documentation.
Award Procedure
After the preapplication has been reviewed by the Rural Development Area Office, it is forwarded to the Rural Development State Office for review and processing instructions. Following review by the State Office, the applicant is notified about eligibility, availability of funds, and if an application should be filed. Upon completion of application processing requirements and approval by the State Office, funds are made available to the Rural Development Area Office for delivery.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 90 days after a complete application is received.
Appeals
If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated. The notification will include a statement for appeal or review of the adverse decision. The applicant may request an appeal or review of the decision.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Projects are selected for funding giving due consideration to State development strategies, serving the largest number of low income rural residents, and priority recommendations. Priority for funding will be given to those projects that will enhance public safety such as fire, police, rescue and ambulance services, and projects for health care facilities.
How may assistance be used?
Community facilities include, but are not limited to, those providing or supporting overall community development such as hospitals, fire stations, child care facilities, food recovery and distribution centers; assisted-living facilities; group homes, mental health clinics, and shelters; and education facilities. Projects comprise community, social, health care, education, cultural, transportation, industrial park sites, fire and rescue services, access ways, and utility extensions. All facilities financed in whole or in part with RHS funds shall be for public use.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of loans and other agreements.
Records
The borrower must maintain adequate records and accounts of the operation of the facility developed.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. Matching funds are not required but may be used in connection with the funds provided from the applicant or other sources. Funds are allocated to States based upon rural population, number of households below the poverty level, and rural unemployment. The statistical factor for eligibility is cities, towns or incorporated areas under 20,000 population for direct and guaranteed loans and 20,000 population for grants. The source is "Latest Decennial Census." Grants are limited to a maximum of 75 percent of project cost.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
A time limitation is not specified for the use of Community Facilities loan or grant funds. Funds will be awarded when all program requirements are met and the project can be completed on a timely basis. Funds may be advanced on an as needed basis by RHS to cover expenses for a 30-day period. See Above
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Consult your local telephone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rural Development county or Area office numbers or visit the website http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app for a State Office listing.
Headquarters Office
Geoffrey C Armes
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250 US
geoffrey.armes@wdc.usda.gov
Phone: 2027201498

Deb Jackson
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250 US
deb.jackson2@usda.gov
Phone: 2027208454
Fax: 8444967779
Website Address
http://www.rd.usda.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4155-0-3-452
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$46,279,285.00; FY 19 est $47,000,000.00; FY 20 est $90,000,000.00; FY 17$23,600,000.00; FY 16$25,000,000.00; - (Direct Loans) FY 18$1,987,299,496.00; FY 19 est $1,120,000,000.00; FY 20 est $2,000,000,000.00; FY 17$2,366,000,000.00; FY 16$2,200,000,000.00; - (Guaranteed/Insured Loans) FY 18$176,549,312.00; FY 19 est $195,000,000.00; FY 20 est $500,000,000.00; FY 17$141,300,000.00; FY 16$246,052,017.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
2019 Direct Loan ranged from $200,000 to $58,000,000. Average: $1,774,639. Guaranteed Loan ranged from $150,000 to $2,700,000. Average: $2,891,112. Grants ranged from $9,000-$125,000. Average $39,050.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 1942, subpart A, Community Facilities Loans; 7 CFR 1942, subpart C, Fire and Rescue Loans; 7 CFR 3575, subpart A, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans; 7 CFR 3570, subpart B, Community Facilities Grants.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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